MANILA: A strong typhoon was headed to the northern Philippines on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people living on the slopes of a volcano that exploded earlier in the week, the weather bureau said.

Typhoon Noul, packing sustained winds of 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 195 kph (122 mph), was blowing toward Isabela province on the main island of Luzon and it is expected to make landfall early Sunday, government forecaster Fernando Cada said.

After hitting land, the typhoon is forecast to veer north toward southern Japan by Monday, he said.

Cada said heavy rains are expected within a 100-kilometer (63-mile) radius from the eye of the typhoon.

About 300 people, more than half of them children, evacuated from a village near Mount Bulusan, because authorities said the rains could dislodge debris that was spewed in two volcanic explosions in Sorsogon province’s Irosin township, about 500 kilometers (312 miles) south of Isabela.

Forecasters also warned of storm surges 2.5 meters (4 meters) high, which could swamp coastal communities.

The coast guard suspended ferry services from Matnog port south of Irosin, stranding over 4,100 people and at least 300 vehicles.

About 20 storms and typhoons enter the Philippines yearly. The strongest on record to make landfall, Typhoon Haiyan, devastated the central Philippines, claiming more than 7,300 lives.